For real estate, a lot of home transactions take place during the spring and summer. Families are on the move and are looking to close deals before the start of the school year. However, there is an unspoken market during the fall. Though there are less people searching for a new home, there are also less homes on the market. In a way, the 2 balance each other out. With less competition, your home has more of a chance of being noticed, but there are still difficulties to selling during a slower season. Here’s how to get a leg up on the home selling competition in the Charleston, SC area:
Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is a term used to describe the look of a home from the outside and it is vitally important in the coastal city of Charleston, SC. Keeping a lawn and garden that is well-maintained and clean all year round is important. During the fall, raking up leaves is particularly important. The front yard is the first impression buyers will receive. Make sure you make the right one! [For more information about fall curb appeal, read: Curb Appeal Tips for Selling Your Home this Fall]
Time Showings Correctly
In the fall, families in Charleston tend to be busy with kids in school or attending various sporting events. Be sure to time the showings so that they do not conflict with a Panthers game or provide options so that families with children and parents who work full-time can attend. Weekend afternoons are ideal.
Price It Right
Finally, setting a reasonable price is one of the most important ways to sell your home this fall. If you price it too high, many buyers will overlook your property and move on to the next. Invest in some research and get a comparative market analysis from your real estate agent. These documents can show you what similar homes are selling for and what value they are set at. Additionally, you can hire an appraiser to look at your home and give you an estimate to work from. But don’t forget to leave room for negotiations (when buyers make an offer).
It’s All About the Lighting
During the fall, the days get darker earlier in Charleston, so appropriate lighting is very important to show off all the rooms within a home. Consider opening the blinds to let in natural light. Outside lighting is also important since many home buyers often find a home simply by driving by. And since the night comes sooner in the fall, you might want to upgrade your outdoor lighting, so potential buyers get the right look.
Play Up the Season
All year round, it is vitally important that a home smells beautiful when a potential buyer enters. This fall, try using scented candles with a fall aroma such as pumpkin spice. Also consider adding fall décor such as harvest themed decorations outside on the front porch.
Warm It Up
During the spring, it is easier to keep the house at a comfortable temperature in Charleston, but the fall weather can sometimes be unpredictable. Be sure to turn the heat on when buyers are present. You don’t want your home to be uncomfortable and cold when buyers are looking around. Make it cozy and enjoyable, so they have a positive mindset as they look around.
Selling Your Home in Charleston, SC
If you’d like more information about selling your home in Charleston, read our home seller’s blog or take a look at our free eBook. Nearly all your questions will be answered through these articles, but if you have anything you’d like to ask, contact us immediately!
